Emergency Care

The Emergency Department at VCA Animal Specialty Group is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you feel your pet has an emergency, please call us or come in immediately.

Our phone number is (858) 560-8006.

We are located at 5610 Kearny Mesa Road, Suite B, San Diego, 92111.

Any of the following situations can be considered an emergency:
• Difficulty breathing
• Ingestion of a foreign object or unknown substance
• Signs of heatstroke
• Rattlesnake bite
• Bleeding
• Vomiting blood
• Blood in the feces or urine
• Swollen, hard abdomen that is painful to the touch
• Serious wound
• Suspected broken limb
• Any injury to the eye
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Inability to move or sudden weakness
• Unusual or erratic behavior
• Signs of extreme pain, such as whining or shaking
• Straining to urinate (especially a male cat)
• Labor that does not progress

Emergency Care

The Emergency Department at VCA Animal Specialty Group is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you feel your pet has an emergency, please call us or come in immediately.

Our phone number is (858) 560-8006.

We are located at 5610 Kearny Mesa Road, Suite B, San Diego, 92111.

Any of the following situations can be considered an emergency:
• Difficulty breathing
• Ingestion of a foreign object or unknown substance
• Signs of heatstroke
• Rattlesnake bite
• Bleeding
• Vomiting blood
• Blood in the feces or urine
• Swollen, hard abdomen that is painful to the touch
• Serious wound
• Suspected broken limb
• Any injury to the eye
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Inability to move or sudden weakness
• Unusual or erratic behavior
• Signs of extreme pain, such as whining or shaking
• Straining to urinate (especially a male cat)
• Labor that does not progress

Caring for pets - and their people, too.

Serving San Diego since 1981, VCA Animal Specialty Group has earned a reputation for ease and efficiency of referrals, excellent patient care and outstanding post-surgical management. Our multi-disciplinary team approach is responsible for our success. At VCA Animal Specialty Group, we work closely with your referring veterinarian to provide specialized...

Featured Services

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Call us today at

858-560-8006, Fax: 858-560-0206

Caring for pets... and their people, too.

Serving San Diego since 1981, VCA Animal Specialty Group has earned a reputation for ease and efficiency of referrals, excellent patient care and outstanding post-surgical management. Our multi-disciplinary team approach is responsible for our success.

At VCA Animal Specialty Group, we work closely with your referring veterinarian to provide specialized medical, surgical and emergency...

Our Team Overview

VCA Clinical Studies

Veterinary clinical studies, also called clinical trials, allow for discovery of new treatment options and procedures. These studies allow VCA hospitals to stay at the forefront of veterinary care. We are proud to offer clinical studies at our hospital for pets in need now and for future generations.

Visit VCA Clinical Studies to learn about our current clinical studies and all participating hospitals. You can also contact Clinical Studies to see if your pet is eligible to take part in groundbreaking medical advancements for the benefit of all pets.

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Our Veterinary Services

At VCA Animal Hospitals, your pet's health is our top priority, provided through high-quality, professional care and genuine personal service. We pledge to instill client trust and confidence that your pet will always receive compassionate, gentle care, as well as the highest standard of veterinary medical service available. We pledge to provide the finest personal service and facilities for you, our clients and your special pets.

Know Your Pet

Tube Feeding - Esophagostomy Tubes in Cats

An esophagostomy tube is a small rubber tube that enters the esophagus through a surgical incision on the side of the neck. This allows food you to place food directly into the esophagus so that it can flow down into the stomach. The feeding tube is not placed directly into the stomach.

Nutrition - Feeding Guidelines for Cats

Feeding your cat the appropriate amount of a well balanced diet is vital to the maintenance of overall health and well-being, just as eating a well balanced diet is for us. In order to understand how and what to feed cats, it is necessary to understand how the nutritional requirements of the cat have developed through the process of biological evolution.

Giardia in Cats

Giardiasis is an intestinal infection of man and animals cased by a protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. intestinalis or G. lamblia). Giardia is a simple one-celled parasitic species; it is not a "worm", bacteria, or virus.

Tube Feeding in Cats

Vitamin A Toxicosis in Cats

Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for cats, dogs and humans. Deficiency in vitamin A can lead to serious conditions, especially blindness. However, too much vitamin A or hypervitaminosis A can lead to serious toxicity. While somewhat uncommon in North America, vitamin A toxicity is sometimes diagnosed in cats that are fed primarily table scraps.

Behavior Counseling Aggression - Introduction

Aggression is defined as threats or harmful actions directed toward another individual and can include threat displays, lunging, growling, snarling, snapping and biting. In animals, aggressive behaviors are a means of communication.

Behavior Management Products for Dogs

There are numerous products on the market that have been designed to help prevent undesirable behavior in dogs. Leashes, harnesses, and head halters are needed to keep pets under control, especially when outdoors.

Introduction to Desensitization and Counterconditioning

Counterconditioning and desensitization are powerful ways to change behavior. They are usually used in combination. Desensitization provides a means of safely exposing the pet to the stimulus at a level at or below which fear is likely to be exhibited.

Overcoming Fears with Desensitization and Counterconditioning

Counterconditioning occurs when the pet's reaction (emotional response) to a stimulus is changed from one that is anxious or fearful to one that is positive and enjoyable. To accomplish this, favored rewards should be paired with each exposure to the stimulus.

Using Punishment Effectively

Punishment is the application of a stimulus that decreases the chance that a behavior will be repeated. It must be timed to coincide with the undesirable behavior, and must be unpleasant enough to deter the dog from repeating the behavior.

Using Reinforcement and Rewards to Train Your Pet

The best way to train your pet is through the proper use of positive reinforcement and rewards while simultaneously avoiding punishment. The goal of training is to "learn" the proper task and/or behavior.

Flying with your Cat

Brushing Teeth in Cats

Teaching your cat to accept the brushing of its teeth will take some training, but will be relatively easy once he is accustomed to the process. Daily brushing is most beneficial and will help to establish a routine for your pet.

Breeding and Queening Cats

Breeding, pregnancy, and birthing in cats may seem simple, but can have complications. Cats can have multiple litters in a year. It is important to know when your cat may be expecting to give birth so that you can be available to provide assistance if necessary. It is important to know what signs indicate that your cat may be experiencing difficulties delivering the kittens and know when veterinary attention is needed.

Senior Cat Care - Special Considerations

As cats age, they are more likely to develop conditions that need extra care and treatment. Conditions that may arise as a cat ages include kidney disease, periodontal disease, osteoarthritis, and hyperthyroidism. They may also have reduced immunity and have different dietary requirements. It is important to work closely with your veterinarian to maintain your cat’s quality of life.

Dental Disease in Cats

Dental disease is one of the most common medical conditions seen by veterinarians. Approximately two-thirds of cats over three years of age have some degree of dental disease. The most common problems are due to periodontal disease, gingivitis and cervical neck lesions, also called oral resorptive lesions.